New Canaan Races for Multiple Myeloma Research

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation's (MMRF) annual Tri-State Race for Research 5K Walk/Run will be back in New Canaan for the ninth year on June 10. 

She La La on Main Street is one of 35 teams that have already registered from New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Team She La La, a team of 12 members headed by store owner Sheila Grow, has already raised $1,830 of its $3,000 goal. 

“It’s pretty personal,” said Grow of her involvement in the race, “My father-in-law has Multiple Myeloma, so it’s a cause that’s near and dear to our hearts. We were really excited to get involved. We figured it’s the perfect opportunity to spread the word and we’re passionate runners, so it was a really good fit for us personally and professionally.

“They’re so supportive,” said Grow of the foundation, “We’ve raised some good money. We’re also going to be having a private party at the store for team members after the walk and we’re going to be giving 10 percent of all purchases to the foundation. I think it’s going to be a great event.”

The MMRF will be donating 90 percent of their budget to research, said Race Coordinator Hillary Nammack, placing them in the top one percent of non-profits in terms of outstanding fiscal responsibility and exceptional efficiency. 

"The MMRF has been awarded Charity Navigator’s coveted four star rating for nine consecutive years," said Nammack, "the group’s highest designation."

Nammack explained what donations will fund as part of the foundation's $20 million budget for 2012.

"We fund a portfolio of research to generate results in the short, medium and long-term," said Nammack. "In the short term, we accelerate early stage clinical trials through our research consortium, a network of 16 leading centers in North America. Funding for this consortium, which opens 6-8 clinical trials per year, with 38 opened since 2005, is approximately $6 million/year. 

"In the medium-term, we support translational research to help bring promising new therapeutic approaches from the lab to the clinic.  And, finally, in the longer-term, we support basic science and genomics efforts to identify new targets to lead to more personalized approaches," said Nammack.

Teams have raised $81,483 of the $350,000 goal with just a month to go. 

The family-oriented event will feature a DJ, bouncy-house, and face painters. Participants can walk, run or watch as spectators and strollers and dogs on leashes are welcome. 

Another New Canaan resident lending a helping hand is Wanda Gulley, an employee at and volunteer at the MMRF. Gulley said she heard about the foundation when a course in her Professional Certification in Fundraising program at NYU had her interviewing different organizations about their fundraising. 

"I was quite impressed with the organization," said Gulley, "They're very powerful and their business model is wonderful. They have a very can-do attitude that makes them so successful." 

Individuals interested in pre-registering online have until 6 p.m. on June 7 to do so. The registration fee, which goes toward funding the event, is $30 online and $35 the day of. Onsite registration runs from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. at New Canaan High School and the race kicks off at 9 a.m. 

For more information on MMRF or how to donate/participate in their races, visit the MMRF's official website.